Barry Mann Quotes & Sayings

“It's amazing how a competitive nature can turn a negative into something positive.”

“There's so much fear involved in trying to do something you don't know how to do that drugs and alcohol can become a big part of your life if you have an addictive personality or are very unsure, which most songwriters are.”

“You're going to have more rejection than acceptance.”

“If I waited for inspiration every time I sat down to write a song I probably would be a plumber today.”

“I think if one wants to be in a continual state of insanity one should stay married to that writing partner.”

“It's very hard to teach someone how to write a song if to begin with there's no creative crop to harvest.”

“I know at the beginning of our careers, my wife and I were gut wrenchingly competitive.”

“One other thing, if it's possible, as songwriters, you should also develop yourself as record producers.”

“You've got to really be able to accept the rejection.”

“A guitar riff played on a piano doesn't come close to the purity of it being played on a guitar but I faked it enough to get by.”